How To Play With Musical Expression on the Bagpipes

When you think of musical expression, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s a violinist pouring emotion into a solo, or a jazz pianist improvising with flair. But what about the humble bagpipe?

It might not be the first instrument you think of when it comes to nuance and expression, yet piping offers some of the most creative lessons in making music come alive.

Let’s explore how bagpipers approach expression, what makes the instrument unique, and how you can apply these ideas to your own playing.

The Unique Challenge of Bagpipe Expression

Bagpipes are a fascinating study in musical constraints. Once you start a note, you can’t stop it until the air runs out. There’s no fading, no volume knob, no whisper-quiet passages. If you’ve ever been asked to “turn down” your pipes at a backyard gig, you know the struggle is real.

But those same limits are what make the instrument stand out. Every instrument has quirks – drums can’t play melodies, violins can’t hold a note forever, and accordions can’t slide between pitches like pipes can. The trick is learning to lean into what your instrument does best, rather than fighting it.

On the pipes, that means embracing the continuous sound, rhythmic drive, and distinct embellishments. While you can’t swell a note like a singer, you can use grace notes, doublings, and rhythmic variations to keep the listener hooked. Even the drones – often seen as background noise – become a harmonic canvas that colors every note you play.

The key question isn’t “How do I make the pipes sound like a violin?” but rather: “What can I do that only bagpipes can do?”

Expression Is More Than Notes

Think of expression as your musical fingerprint. It’s not just about the notes, it’s about phrasing, timing, and those little decisions that make the tune yours.

Imagine painting by numbers. You’ll get a picture, sure, but it’s your choice of colors, textures, or even playful twists that give it character. The same goes for music. Maybe you stumble into an interesting rhythmic twist or harmony by accident. Great! The art is recognizing those moments and turning them into intentional choices.

Fundamentals First: Control Before Creativity

Here’s the hard truth: you can’t fully express yourself until you’ve mastered the basics. In piping, that means clean fingerwork, steady rhythm, and controlled transitions between notes.

Calling every mistake an “artistic choice” might be a fun joke to tell your friends, but real expression comes from being in control – and then bending the rules on purpose.

Think of it like sketching. First you learn to draw straight lines. Then, when you’ve got control, you can add shading and even scribble outside the lines while still making it look intentional.

Timing, Rhythm, and Groove

Since bagpipes don’t have volume changes, timing and rhythm carry the expressive weight. Many pipers use what we at the Dojo like to call the ALAP/ASAP model: hold long notes as long as possible and clip short notes as short as musically reasonable. That stretch and release creates a natural push-pull in the music.

But be careful – too much exaggeration can make things stiff. The magic happens when the rhythm feels natural, like you’re dancing with the tune rather than counting it out.

A practical tip? Practice with a metronome. Start with clicks on every beat, then reduce until you’ve only got one click per bar (or even per phrase). You’ll quickly learn where you rush or drag, and your internal sense of groove will grow stronger.

Embellishments and Creative Tools

Bagpipes have their own expressive palette. Embellishments add rhythmic sparkle. Vibrato done subtly with finger or blowing techniques can bring life to a long note. And don’t ignore technology: electronic pipes or simple effects like reverb can open doors to new textures.

The important thing is experimentation. Try things. Record yourself. Keep what works.

Balancing Dissonance and Harmony

Expression isn’t always about sounding “pretty.” Sometimes tension makes the release more satisfying. Bagpipes naturally lean into this, with drones creating constant harmonic tension. A “wrong” note here or there or dissonant harmonies can add spice, as long as you use them intentionally.

Check out this episode of Dojo Conversations where we dive into this topic in-depth.